Jack Robert Green, Jr.

Enveloped in love, Jack Robert Green, Jr. died the evening of December 23, 2018 in his bed, in his home in Staunton. Jack was born in Jacksonville, Florida on Feb. 5, 1955 to Jack Robert Green, Sr. and Gloria Mae (Keaton) Green. He is survived by his parents as well as his beloved darling daughter Sara Green Haddock, her husband Scott and sweetest granddaughter in all the world, Victoria Michelle Haddock, all of Arizona. The eldest of five children, he is survived by brothers Scott (Luann) Green, Kirby (Donna) Green, Chris (Ali) Green, and sister Judy (James) Ahrens as well as many nieces and nephews.  Surviving too are stepsons Joe and Charlie and “bonus” grandson Alex. Also surviving Jack is Bridget Carroll, his wife and partner in hijinks of almost 22 years and his brother-in-law John (Melissa) Carroll and sister-in-law Donna (David) McCaskey (all whose help was invaluable) and all of their extended families. Since relocating to Staunton, Virginia in 2009, Jack taught technical education at S. Gordon Stewart Middle School. A special thanks to Principal Mike Conner and the wonderful teaching and school staff who sustained him throughout his almost five year illness.  The dignity that Mike afforded Jack in his last six months of teaching will never be forgotten. There are so many individuals, too many to mention, who kept up Jack’s spirits, made him happy to be working, enjoyed his wacky sense of humor, and who kept in touch when he finally retired due to his illness. Thank you from the bottom of his family’s hearts. And a special mention of thanks to his students. He loved all of you. You helped make his life worth living on the days that he wanted to just give up. Your smiling faces and caring attitudes after learning he was ill were often the one bright spot in his day. Before becoming a teacher, Jack served four years in the United States Navy. After the military, Jack attended the Don Martin School of Broadcasting in Los Angeles where he earned a first class radio telephone license. Following graduation, Jack worked as a radio DJ in the Tucson and Phoenix markets for twenty years. His last stint in Arizona was as a traffic reporter for numerous Phoenix television and radio outlets. In 2002, Jack left radio to enroll in Berea College, Berea, Kentucky to pursue a degree in technical education teaching. He graduated in 2006, magna cum laude and taught in the Lexington, Kentucky public school system before relocating to Virginia. While at Berea College, Jack was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, was twice awarded the Berea College Student Labor Award, and at graduation was awarded the Berea College Anna Mae and Phyllis Shumaker Labor Award. He was honored to do sound for a number of the College’s convocations, in particular for Julian Bond who he really admired and for The Amazing Randi because he knew what a fan his wife was. Jack was also a weaver, model builder, a true Mr. Fixit and a relative newcomer to genealogy. He loved the research and discovered that many of his ancestors were from Page county and that his roots in Virginia go back to the 1600s, descended from the Chesapeake Bay settlers. He also was pleased to discover that via his Pennsylvania roots he was a direct descendant of John Morton, signer of the Declaration of Independence and chair of the committee that wrote the Articles of Confederation.   Cancer took his body but never his spirit. He took everything that Augusta Health’s Oncology Center and the University of Virginia Couric Cancer Center prescribed for him to extend his life. There were times he looked in the mirror and swore that he glowed in the dark. He saved the mask made for his stereotactic brain radiation treatments at the Couric Cancer Center to “scare the kids.” Wisely, he decided not to. A subsequent round of full brain radiation at Augusta Health Center resulted in a second mask being made. He hoped to make it to Halloween to meet trick or treaters at the door wearing that mask but forgot to turn the porch light on. Crisis averted. Special thanks to Dr. Khetpal for her kindness and willingness to pursue new avenues whenever there was a chance that he might beat it. Thanks too, to Dr. Judson who switched his cancer treatment from chemotherapy to radiation so that Jack would have a full head of hair to walk his daughter down the aisle. Sara and Scott’s wedding took place in the desert in the Saguaro National Park just west of Tucson, one of Jack’s favorite places. And so, Jack and Bridget made their last grand road trip together to his beloved desert and to see his beloved daughter down the aisle. Then it was back to chemotherapy and the dreaded shaved head. Thanks too, to The Hospice of the Shenandoah Valley for their invaluable guidance. His last nurse Carol laughed at his jokes. He liked that a lot. But more than that, she treated him so kindly as his mind slipped away. Until his magnificent radio voice was silenced, Carol would say, “How are you feeling, Jack?” And he would always answer, “Good.” However, his last word before he died suited the whole crappy situation perfectly. He faced these past four plus years with trepidation and finally with outright bravery and acceptance accompanied through thick and thin by his trusty pal “Nurse Deeds” a dog that tugged at his heart the first time he laid eyes on him at the Augusta Regional SPCA. He tolerated the ever-active dog Zorra with immense sangfroid knowing that these two would be Bridget’s constant reminder of the kind, gentle, and tolerant spirit that dwelt within him and still echoes down today. There will be no funeral service here in Staunton. A military funeral and interment will be held at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Camp Nelson, Kentucky when spring has sprung upon us. The family will be creating “The Perseverance Award” at S. Gordon Stewart Middle School in his honor. Gifts in memory of Jack can be made to Berea College. Indicate the contribution is in his memory and mail to Berea College, CPO Box 2216, Berea, Kentucky 40404. He would like that.